China and Russia support Myanmar’s military junta for strategic, economic, and geopolitical reasons. Both countries view the junta as a means to secure their interests in the region, maintain influence, and counterbalance Western intervention. Below is a detailed analysis of why China and Russia continue to back the junta:
1. China’s Support for the Junta
China’s relationship with Myanmar is deeply rooted in economic, strategic, and political considerations. While China has historically engaged with both the military and civilian governments in Myanmar, its support for the junta has become more evident post-coup.
Strategic Interests
- Access to the Indian Ocean:
- Myanmar is a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) connects China’s Yunnan Province to the Indian Ocean via Myanmar, reducing China’s reliance on the Strait of Malacca for energy imports and trade.
- Projects like the Kyaukphyu Deep-Sea Port and oil and gas pipelines allow China to bypass maritime chokepoints vulnerable to U.S. influence.
- Buffer Zone:
- Myanmar serves as a buffer between China and South Asia, particularly India, which is a regional rival of China. Supporting the junta ensures that Myanmar remains within China’s sphere of influence.
Economic Interests
- Exploitation of Resources:
- Myanmar is rich in natural resources such as jade, timber, rare earth minerals, and natural gas. Chinese companies, often backed by the government, have significant investments in these sectors.
- China prefers dealing with the junta, as the military provides fewer checks and balances than a civilian government, allowing Chinese firms to operate with minimal restrictions.
- Infrastructure Projects:
- China has invested heavily in Myanmar’s infrastructure, including railways, highways, and energy projects. Stability, even under a military dictatorship, ensures that these projects progress without disruption.
Political Considerations
- Non-Interference Policy:
- China adheres to a policy of non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs, which it uses to justify its lack of criticism of the coup. Beijing sees this as a way to protect itself from similar scrutiny over its internal issues, such as Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Taiwan.
- Opposition to Western Influence:
- By supporting the junta, China counters Western influence in Myanmar. A democratic government, especially one aligned with the U.S. and its allies, could shift Myanmar closer to the West.
Military Ties
- China has long been a major supplier of arms to Myanmar’s military, providing weapons, technology, and training. This relationship strengthens China’s leverage over the junta.
2. Russia’s Support for the Junta
Russia’s support for Myanmar’s junta is primarily driven by military, geopolitical, and diplomatic goals. Unlike China, Russia’s involvement in Myanmar is less economically focused and more aligned with arms sales and global power politics.
Military Interests
- Arms Sales:
- Russia is one of Myanmar’s largest arms suppliers, providing fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, and artillery systems. These weapons are critical for the junta’s ability to suppress domestic dissent and fight ethnic armed groups.
- Since the coup, Russia has continued to sell weapons to the junta, with deals worth millions of dollars. Myanmar’s military is a key customer in Russia’s global arms trade.
- Military Training:
- Russia has offered military training and education to Myanmar’s armed forces. Hundreds of Tatmadaw officers have received training in Russian military academies, deepening the ties between the two countries.
Geopolitical Goals
- Countering Western Influence:
- Russia views its support for the junta as part of a broader strategy to challenge Western hegemony. By backing Myanmar, Russia aligns itself with other authoritarian regimes and creates a coalition against Western-imposed sanctions and interventions.
- Expanding Influence in Southeast Asia:
- Myanmar provides Russia with an entry point into Southeast Asia, a region where it has traditionally had limited influence. The junta’s dependence on Russian weapons and political support helps Russia establish a foothold in the region.
Diplomatic Support
- UN Veto Power:
- Russia, along with China, has used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to block resolutions condemning the Myanmar junta or imposing sanctions. This protects the junta from international isolation and allows Russia to position itself as a reliable ally for authoritarian regimes.
3. Why China and Russia Support the Junta Despite Global Condemnation
- Opposition to Western Democracies:
- Both China and Russia view Myanmar’s junta as an ally in their broader effort to resist Western-led calls for democracy and human rights. Supporting the junta undermines Western influence in the region and aligns with their strategic goals.
- Pragmatic Relationships:
- Neither China nor Russia has ideological loyalty to Myanmar’s junta. Their support is pragmatic and transactional, focusing on securing their own economic, strategic, and military interests.
- Fear of Democratic Influence:
- A stable and democratic Myanmar could become a Western ally, increasing U.S. and EU influence in Southeast Asia. Supporting the junta ensures that Myanmar remains aligned with authoritarian regimes.
- Exploitation of Regional Instability:
- The political chaos and economic instability following the coup have made Myanmar more reliant on foreign allies like China and Russia. This dependency allows both countries to extract concessions and secure favorable deals.
Consequences of Their Support
For the Junta:
- Military Strength:
- Continued arms supplies from China and Russia have emboldened the junta, enabling it to suppress dissent and maintain control.
- Legitimacy:
- Diplomatic backing from two global powers provides the junta with a degree of legitimacy, despite widespread international condemnation.
For Myanmar:
- Prolonged Conflict:
- With the junta receiving weapons and resources from China and Russia, the conflict between the military and resistance groups has intensified, prolonging the suffering of Myanmar’s people.
- Economic Exploitation:
- Chinese investments often prioritize Beijing’s interests, leading to resource exploitation and displacement of local communities.
For the International Community:
- Deadlock at the UN:
- The veto power of China and Russia at the UN Security Council has blocked efforts to impose sanctions or take collective action against the junta.
Criticism of China and Russia’s Role
Human rights organizations, democratic governments, and activists have condemned China and Russia for enabling the junta. They argue that continued support:
- Fuels violence against civilians.
- Undermines international efforts to restore democracy.
- Contradicts global norms of justice and human rights.
However, the strategic and economic benefits for China and Russia continue to outweigh international pressure, leaving the junta emboldened and Myanmar’s crisis unresolved.